9 killed, 22 injured in firing in Pakistan

Islamabad, Aug 9 (IANS) Nine people were killed and 22 others injured Friday when gunmen sprayed bullets at people pouring out of a mosque in Pakistan's southwest provincial capital of Quetta, media reports said.

Superintendent of Police Saryaab Bashir said the incident took place at around 7.20 a.m. Friday when some gunmen opened fire at people as they were coming out of a mosque after offering Eid prayers in Satellite Town of Quetta, reported Xinhua.

Bashir said that around eight terrorists opened fire at people from two different sides and they fled after the attack.

The shooting took place just a day after at least 38 people, including three senior police officers, were killed in a blast at the funeral of a slain police officer in the same city.

Local media quoted hospital sources as saying that the toll rose to nine after five of the injured died while undergoing treatment, adding that at least 22 injured were still in the hospital.

Hospital sources said the toll may rise further as at least three injured were still in critical condition.

Security forces, police and rescue teams rushed to the site and shifted the bodies and injured to the hospital.

Local media said the incident was the result of personal enmity and the main target of the assailants was former provincial minister Ali Madad Jattak who remained unhurt in the attack but there was no official confirmation about it yet.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

At the time of the attack, the city was on high alert as Pakistanis are celebrating Eid.

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